In the new website, the storyline will be brought to life with sumptuous newly-commissioned illustrations and interactive ‘Moments’ through which you can navigate, starting with the first book, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s (Sorcerer’s) Stone. On entering, you choose a magic username and begin your experience. As you move through the chapters, you can read and share exclusive writing from J.K. Rowling, and, just as Harry joins Hogwarts, so can you. You visit Diagon Alley, get sorted into a house, cast spells and mix potions to help your house compete for the House Cup … [Rowling] has brought to life both the Sorting Hat and Ollivanders experiences from her books for the first time on Pottermore, by revealing the questions asked by the Sorting Hat – which places newcomers into their Hogwarts houses according to their characteristics – and the magic behind the Wand Chooser – which finds the right wand for each user from over 33,000 possible combinations.

Sounds pretty cool, even though we have not given up the ghost for more books. The site also features these four photos of the site – the one above is labeled “The Gateway,” then below you have “The Hogwarts Express,” “The Chessboard Chamber” and “Christmas at Hogwarts.”

The site will be open worldwide in October, but starting July 31 you can register and compete in some kind of contest, wherein the first million winners will gain early admittance to Pottermore and help shape the world. “Sorcerer’s Stone” will be the first book available, with “Chamber of Secrets” coming in early 2012.